The Cambrian

SWANSEAITES FLOCK TO ITS SUPPORT. GREAT MASS MEETING AT THE DRILL HALL. MR. DILLWYN'S, M.P., ATTITUDE. HE SAYS HE SUPPORTS THE BILL, BUT ALDERMAN MONGER DEMANDS FURTHER EXPLANATION. On Tuesday evening a "great mass meeting of the men of Swansea" was held at the Drill Hall, Singleton-street, in support of the Rhondda and Swansea Bay Railway Bill. Tremendous interest was concentrated in the meeting, and immediately the doors were opell crowds began to flock in. By eight o'clock the huge hall was filled with a representative mass of the ratepayers of Swansea, including the principal tradesmen. It was announced on the bills that the chair would be taken by the Worship. ful Mayor (Alderman Mason), but he was unavoid- ably detained in London, along with the Town Clerk (Mr. Jno. Thomas), on important Corporation business. Mr. Dillwyn, M.P., thehon. member for the Borough, was "expected to be present," and speculation was rife as to whether that expectation would be realised. His attitude toward the Rhondda Bill has created considerable talk among his constituents, and although he has declared himself in favour of the measure, a feeling prevails that as he has backed the Great Western Railway Bill he cannot support the other. The proceedings on Tuesday were remarkably enthusiastic through- out, and the resolutions were carried with an unanimity that ought to have great weight with the Parliamentary Committee. The speeches were vigorous, and to the point, and one and all left thoroughly pleased at the success of the meeting. The chair was taken by Alderman James Jones, J.P., and he was supported on the platform by Aldermen Thomas Freeman. J.P., Richard Martin, H. Monger, John Lewis, W. Pike, and F. Rocke; Councillors E. R. Daniel. F. Bradford, T. T. Pascoe, J. M. Mayne, J. Aeron Thomas, and Walter Lewis Messrs. R. D. Burnie, J. Dixon (Harbour Superin- tendent), J. Livingston, W. Rosser, J.P., A. P. Steeds, A. H. Angel, J. R. Leaver, Stephen Thomas, W. T. Farr, J. Davies. Colonel Mock, Dr. Jabez Thomas, fee. Alderman Pike said he had very much pleasure in moving that Mr. Alderman James Jones do take the chair on this occasion in the absence of the Mayot." (A voice: Oh!) The Mayor, who, as they all knew, was very largely interested in the prosperity of Swansea, was unavoidable absent, theugh in the interest and welfare of the town and port. (Cheers.) He had been called away to, and had been for some days in, London, expecting every moment te. be called upon to give evidence on the question which would affect them and the pass- ing of the Corporation Water Bill. (Applause.) Alderman Pike then expressed his pleasure at seeing so large and influential a gathering present, and briefly adverted to the welfare and prosperity that the Bill, if paned, would bring to Swansea, conclud- ing by saying that he was perfectly certain that when the people of Swansea were called upon to do their duty, they were always equal to the occasion. (Applause.) Colonel Mock seconded, and the vote was carried with acclamation. Alderman James Jones then took the chair amid applause, and thanked Alderman Pike and Colonel Mook for the honour they had conferred upon him. He was exceedingly sorry that the Mayor wa3 not present. He called upon Alderman Monger to read some correspondence and some telegrams, adding, as he held a letter up to the meeting, that that was one he had received, and he refused to give up to anyone. However, it belonged to the people of Swansea, and therefore it would be read by Alderman Monger. The following are the communications referred to as read by Alderman Monger :— House of Commons, March 16. To the Chairman of the Rhondda and Swansea Bay Railway Company. DKAB 81B,-I have Jour note of yesterday's date, and much regret t. say I tlave engagements for Tuesday next which cannot be put off, and which will prevent me from attending the meeting at the Drill Hall that evening. With regard to the Rhondda and Swansea Bay Railway Bill, it is a private Bill, and I don't know that I can in any way either arrest or retard its progress through the Honse and I may say that I have never in any shape or form, took any steps in opposition to it.—Believe me, yours truly, „ LL. DILI/WTN. Telegram from the Mayor of Swansea (Aid. A. Mason, Esq.) To the Chairman of the Rhondda and Swansea Bay Railway Meeting. Be so good as to explain to meeting this evening my inability to be present, as I am detained here on Parlia- mentary business in connection with the Swansea Water Bill. Hope meeting will be a successful one. MASOH, Mayor of Swansea, London." The Chairman, continuing, said the) had met together to disoass a very important question, and he would not like anyone to say a word against any individual or any gentleman who happened to be absent from the meeting that evening. (Ap- plause.) In bis opinion, at any rate, they had met together to do some good to the town and port of Swansea. (Applause.) He felt himself feeble indeed in trying to help and assist his fellow tradesmen from time to time to carry out some good for the town, though he was there that even- ing in that capacity by assisting to bring the Rhondda and Swansea Railway to Swansea in order that it might do as mnch good as the Taff Vale wasdeingfor Cardiff and Barry. (Applause.) Now, lie believed the people of Swansea had been backward in not holding meetings of that sort more often in the past. If they had one now and then of the quality of gentlemen whom he now saw before him—men who took an interest in the town aud their own welfare—it would have obtained good results. He was afraid they bad been lacking in their duty in that respect in the past. Referring to the Rhondda and Swansea Railway Bay Bill, he ex- pressed his opinion that if Parliament did not give them fair play, he hoped the people of Swansea would make their voices heard until they had ob- tained what was right and fair. (Loud applause.) The great question in regard to the Bill was the bridge over the Neath River. He might tell them straight that there could only be one bridge. Now, the Great Western Railway Company wanted to swallow up everything at all times in different parts of the country, and they wanted that bridge. But the Rhondda and Swansea Bay Railway Co. also wanted a bridge, aDd they had asked for it first, while they "would not succeed very well uuless j they bad that bridge. Well, now the questions were-Wne was against them, and who was for the.? (Applause.) He thought those were great questions to be dealt with that evening. Who was against them? They could not serve God and mammon they most go ou one side or the other. (Laughter and applause.) In conclusion, he again referred to the fact that Swansea generally moved in matters of that sort at a. late hour, and expressed a hope that the meeting would have the desired effect. (Loud applause.) Mr. James Livingston moved the following resolution, "That this meeting of the inhabitants of the County Borough and port of Swansea hereby agrees to petition Parliament m favour of the Rhondda and Swansea Bay Railway Bill, direct and independent line of railway between Swansea and the Rhondda and Avon coal-fields is absolutely vital to the prosperity and due develop- ment of the districts affected, and necessary for the conveyance of the passenger traffic in connection with the localities named, and that this meeting instructs the Chairman to sign the same petition to Parliament." He said that it did one's heart glad to see such a mass of sturdy men to back theot up in the effort which was being made to do justice to Swansea. It was many years since they had such a Catherine as that interested in the development of the trade of the port. It would be in the recollec- tion of some of them that twelve years ago they had a difficulty in connection with the then projeut for the creation of East Dock and the deepening of the entrance to the harbour. There was very much opposition, considerable apathy, and, unfortunately, their trouble then came from almost precisely the same source as that from which tbey were suffering, An important meeting was held in the Town Hall, and so great was the enthusiasm and the terrible earnestness of the traders and men of Swansea that thev suooeded not only in carrying the resolution to enable the Trust to deepen the entrance to the port, ?„f pventually also to secure a Bill which gave them the Prince of Wales Dock. (Loud applause.) nirectly connected with that project was the Great w»«tern Railway Company, and to do that Company • iffcice thanks were due to thetn for the heip they at the time. It was not only timely, but w iintalv needful. It was due to them on an « like this that that should be remembered. TM?H"8'°dock had been constructed, with all the ,F „ a for the shipment of a considerable applian e that coal was within their reach, quauti y largely shipped at Cardiff; that coal .hJnld he shipped at Swansea very largely, to T J nrobably, of two or three millions a year, the extent probaoiy, tfae Great We8tern RJlw^ but for the action aUow him he Company. jettera from the Merthyr district and fS Treherbert. They wereonly samples of dozens thev received, showing the hopelessness of thehf^case and condition while dependent upon the Great Western RaUway Company. One was from the Nixon's Merthyr Comply, andstated that their rate for coal to Swansea was U ^9d., including shipping, or Is. 7d. net, against ls. ld. to Cardiff a difference of 6d. per ton. In addition their trucks cost them about 7d. per ton, and it hardly paid them to ship their coals at Swansea, as the transfer •barges from dock to dock were most iniquitous. The other letter was somewhat to the same effect. Why was the Great Western Railway Company thus handicapping them? Could it be supposed, was it fair to suppose, that their deliberate inten- tion was to destroy the trade of the port of Swansea t Well, they were actually interested to a very con- siderable extent in the wharfage of the Prince of Wales Dock. The Company was committed to a navment to the Swansea Harbour Trust of £ 4,000 a vear in wharfage rental. On would naturally infer that the Great Western Railway were interested in the development of the Swansea trade, and that they would do their utmost to facilitate the trad- ing operations of the town. But he vvoul i point this out to them. The Great Western Railway Company had a very extensive system they had a certain mileage fixed by Act of Parlia- ment which applied to the whole of that system. Swansea and her shipments formed a very small item in the t'>t->l cr itlio of this great Company, who said, "We are in this fix: If we re-adjust our rates and take off the differences, and so place Swansea traders on an equal footing with the shippers of Cardiff, we should have to re-adjust the rates over the whole of our system, and that would entail an enormous annual loss." The Great Western Railway Company, having no feeling for Swanseii, and not knowing or caring for the difficulties they had to contend with, stood and watched the decrease in the trade of the town; they deliberately allowed the traffic to diminish week after week and month after month. The Gn-at Western Railway knew perfectly well that unless some help was given Swansea, the inevitable result would be the annihilation of trade and the secession of traffic. He thought it would pay the Great Western Railway to lower their rates, for by so doing they would reap an enormous benefit direct from Swansea, enough to make up for the loss entailed over the whole system by the reduction. What Swansea demanded was reason- able and just, and they meant to have what they asked for. (Loud applause.) What they said to the Great Western Railway Company was this We have suffered from you long enough. A Company, a purely local Company, offers to give us access to the Rhondda Valley, to tap the whole of the great coal-fields. There is a virgin coal-field untouched, with millions of tons of the best coal in the whole of Glamorganshire. This local Company offers to give us a line to the Rhondda with the sime rates as those which carry coal to Cardiff. Therefore, we ask you to withdraw your opposition from the measure which we are asking Parliament to grant us." More than that, he (the speaker) had it from the secretary of the Rhondda Railway Company that their operations would not cease with the mere entrance to the Rhondda Valley, but they would open up bmnches to reach the Garf and other coal oentres. It was the duty of Swansea people to assist the Company in this laudable effort to place such rich coal-fields at their disposal, and those of them who were millionaires would do well te invest in the concern. (Applause.) Let him tell them this: With a direct and independent line from the Rhondda to Swansea, tapping thj whole of the great coal districts, there would not be in the whole Kingdom & more prosperous line than the Rhondda and Swansea B-iy Railway. (Luud applause.) Were they going to allow the Great Western Railway Company to strangle the Rhondda Railway Company in its infancy? (Loud cries of No.") Wer» they going to stand by with folded arms and allow such an opposition to go on ? (No!) He was sure they would not. But suppose—he only supposed—they did not get the Bill. (" We'll have it," and applause.) Ic had been said they were alarmists, and he was very sorry to read in the Cardiff prints that too much "fuss" was beimr made about the measure. It would pay Cardiff if the Rhondda Railway was allowed to remain as it was. He should not like to say to the House of Commons what would happen in the event of the Rhondda Bill being refused. (Lqud applause.) If the Great Western Railway Company succeeded in throwing out this Bill—(A voice: We'll boycott them," and applause.) That was not enough. If, under the pretence of making a bridge themselves to complete their system to Swansea, the town and port were handed over to their tender mercies, the condition of things between the Rhondda and Swansea would never be improved, and tue supply of coal which was now so much needed would never be obtained. He feared even more than that. They remembered what had occurred at Barry. The Marquis of But", who bad done so much for Cardiff, was blamed for certain difficulties which existed, and he (the speaker) was not sure whether he was to really blame or not. However, the people grew tired of the difficulties, and told the Marquis they would not put up with them much longer, but would build a dock and railway of their own. They were not believed. Year after year went by, but at last the people got permission from Parliament to make what they wanted. Then Lord Bute saw his error. But what he (Mr. Livingston) feared was this: Assuming they did not succeed in fretting the Rhondda. Bill—their own Bill, the Bill that was to bring them tens ef thousands of coal direct to the docks, instead wf being handed over to the Great Western Rail- way and kept about for a week—assuming this, what were the large colliery proprietors of the district going to do ? To stand and wait for the Great Western Railway Company ? No, certainly not! This was what would happen, and woe betide Swansea if it did. A second Barry would spring up close by—at Port Talbot. If the colliery proprietors, shipowners &c., were shut out from Swansea, they would make a port of their own, and at a place which had direct communication with the Rhondda. Where would Swansea be then ? Was not this the time to back up the Rhondda Bill? Undoubtedly it was. Oh! it was pitiable to watch from the top of the hills the number of ships that sailed up the Channel past Swansea. Where were they going to P To Cardiff! For what ? For the very coals that could be shipped at Swansea., fifty miles further down the Channel. It was a crying shame to the shipowners of this country that they should be obliged, by the injustice of the Great Western Railway Company, to go to the unnecessary trouble and expense of sending their ships to Cardiff because the door was shut at Swansea. (Applause). It would pay these shipowners to support the Rhondda Company in the House of Commons. He (the speaker) was of the deep conviction that if they failed in securing this Bill, they might write in large letters on the rocks at the Mumbles Head" In memory of the ancient port of Swansea. Destroyed by the Great Western Railway Company ia 1892." (Applause). Alderman Martin in seconding asked what beuefit would it be to Swansea to have the Rhondda Railway completed to the port? The best answer perhaps that he could Rive them was that be had travelled to Cardiff regularly for some years, and when be started, not very many years ago, there was hardly a house to be seen on the West Marsh while to-day they would find it a large and flourishing town near Cardiff. What was that due to ? It was simply the shipment of coal from the Rhondda. They heard people saying they were too dead-alive in Swansea. At Cardiff they got this and that and so on done. What was the reason ? It was because money was made at Cardiff by the shipping of Rhondda coal there. That was the reason. Mr. Liviugston had told them that the people who had any interest iu the welfare of Swansea ought to exert their utmo3t to pass the Bill. (Applause.) If they really under- stood their own interest they were bound to do it. The workman might say It is no matter to me, I have another occupation." That occupation would be double the value if they supported the Bill. (Applause.) What did they see in the main streets of Cardiff 1 There were houses valued at £1,000 a year. Was there any house in Swansea worth that sum ? (Voices, "No," "Very few.") There was no house of the same size and value in auy street as in Cardiff, and the reason was the shipment of the Rhondda coal to the latter place. (Applause.) Another questiou was Why does the Great Western Railway Company oppose the Bill? The people of Swansea ought to have it, and if they wanted prosperity to the town they most have it. (Ap- plause.) They were not going to stand quietly by while other people were opposing them. (Applause.) He had no share in the Rhondda aud Swansea Bay Railway Company; he was simply a Swansea man —(applause)—and as a Swausea man he claimed that the Bill before Parliament was a matter of interest to the town, by which they wanted to get every ton of coal that it was possible to get hold of to the port of Swansea. (Loud applause.) He hoped to reip soflõe beuefit himself, if not directly theu indirectly. (Applause.) It was the duty of every Swansea man in his own interest to support the Bill. Again reverting to the question Why does the Great Western Railway stand in the way ? he said Mr. Livingston had tried to explain it, though he (Alderman Martin) was not quite satisfied with the explanation. He was not so sore that the matter could be explained. But from the fact that the Great Western Railway Company was doing the work of tbe Ootopus, as had been said on a previous occasion, and was endeavouring to crush them, they would disappear, as Mr. Livingston had said, if they were not up and doing. (Applaose.) Did the Great Western Railway oppose the interests of Swansea because they would have to lower rates for coal over their system ? He did not believe it. If it paid the Taff Vale an,1 Barry Railways to carry coal at Jd. a ton it would also pay the Great Western Railway to do the same. Some slight interruption took place at this stage, evidently by some persous indignant as regards Mr. Dillwyn's action, for the Chairman observed that Mr. Dillwyn's uame had not been mentioned, and it was his wish that it would not be mentioned. Alderman Martin, continuing, said the reason the Great Western Railway Company opposed the Bill was, as far as he understood, because they felt that they had Swansea in their clutches, and' all they wanted to do was to take care nobody else came in. (Applause.) What. little trade Swansea did was doue through the Great Western Railway Company hence their endeavour to keep the monopoly. (Applause.) Referring to the manner in which the coal trade was handicapped by the monopoly of the Great Western Railway Company, Alderman Martin said be knew of a colliery owner; not far from Swansea, who had spent every penny in bringing the coal to the surface, and applying to the Great Western Railway Company to construct a siding, in order that coal might be conveyed on to the market, they refused to enteitain the request, even though the colliery owner had offered to pay an extra 2d. a ton for the carriage of the coal until the cost of the siding was paid. Having detailed another instance Alderman Martin said that would explain to them what he understood, as the reason for the opposition of the Great Western Railway Company. (Applause). He was totd the other day on the Swansea Exchange by two gentlemen -monied men, who dealt in coal from the Rhondda and other parts-that they had asked the Great Western Riilway Company to allow them to keep a ledger account or srive them a month's credit, offjrinq- reasonable security, becau3e in consequence of oLlter pressing demands, they were unable to pay the rates on the carriage of coal directiy it wa3 due, but the Great Western Railway Company said No, Were the people of Swansea going to stand that? (Cries of "No.") If they did they de- served what Mr. Livingston had prophesied with reference to the epitaph at the Mumbles Head, indicating the ancient port of Swansea. If the Rhondda Company were wise they would get a train ready and ask those presont to jump in and take them to London to support the Bill, that was, if there were any possibility of its not passing. (Laughter and applause.) Mr. Angel said he represented one of the largest colliery firms in the United Kingdom, one that shipped something like two millions tons of coal per annum—the Ocean Coal Company. (Applause.) In 1887 he thought they would find there were about 450,000 tons of Rhondda. coal shipped in this port. In 1891 that quantity had become beautifully less —(laughter)—91,000 tons. (Cries of "Shame.") He implored them to think of that! What dit it show? Surely the people of Swansea had eyes to see. Surely they had capacity to understand what that meant. Attention had been called to the formidable opponents the district had in the Great Western Railway Company. Now that company as a company had no soul to be saved, and no bowels of compassion (laughter). He then referred to the numerous appeals that had been made to the Great Western Railway Company by the colliery owners of the district, imploring them to remove some of the disadvantages which would destroy Swansea as a port, but in which no action had been taken by them. He then read corres- pondence that had passed between his own company and the Harbour Trust, with reference to sailing ships being obliged to leave Swansea, in ballast. in order to load at Barry, in consequence of preference being given to steamers, in the matter of loading at Swansea. The Trust replied that the matter had been previously threshed out, and although the Trustees could not but express regret at the ciroumstance, yet they could not exercise any control as the steamer arrangements were entirely in the hands of the railway com- pany. All that, said Mr. Angel, meant that a large number of ships had to go elsewhere to get cargoes, and which was clearly seen from the fact that in 1891, 65 steamers and 23 sailing vessels, representing a gross dead weight of 88,000 tons, had been obliged to leave Swansea with ballast to load at Barry and Cardiff. ((Applause.) Mr. A. P. Steeds said that so far as he could judge, the previous speakers had not exaggerated the importance of this question. It was the duty of everyone in Swansea to do all that lay in their power to secure the Rhondda Bill. If they could only do that they would secure as much benefit from the Rhondda line as Cardiff did from Barry and Taff Vale railways. During his experience in Swansea he bad heard the same tale oft retold by Rhondda ooal-owners &c. — that they would send their coal to Swansea were it not for the high rates and delay. They should support the plucky directors of the Rhondda Railway III their endeavour to remedy this unsatisfactory state of affairs. He doubted very much whether any question had ever been brought forward in Swansea of such vast importance as this one. It vitally affected the whole of the town, port add district. If they failed in getting a complete line there was every possibility that Port Talbot would take the place of Swansea in time. He did not think that was exaggerated, because some very wealthy men had their eyes on that place in case the Rhondda Co. failed to get their Bill. In conclusion Mr. Steeds urged upon everyone to sign the petition, and to heartily and earnestly support them in this great tight. (Applause.) The resolution was then put to the meeting and carriedwitheuthusmsnj. There was not a single dissentient in the largo assembly, and on the Chair- man asking if there were auy nayes to the motion, some jocularly shouted out He's gone home." There was, of course, an outburst of L-ughter at this. Mr. R. D. Burnie, who was accorded a very warns reception, next addressed the meeting. Ho said it reminded him of old times, when they bad to fight tor the tramways, and steam on these tramways, kc. What they theu won was by thorough earnest- ness and enthusiasm, and they must be the same over this question. Gleatas the schemes wer<< which had been carried in the past, there bad been nothing for years to touch the Rhondda Bill. He did not mean to say they would have to write "Ichabod" over their gates if they did not get what they now wanted but their works and energies would be enormously crippled. They would have to seek new pastures, and face over- whelming diiffculties. But they meant to have the Bill, and not let Swansea perish. (Loudapplause.) Now was the opportune momeut tor the men of Swansea to interest themselves in this Bill, and assist in getting the fullest and fairest considera- tion from the Parliamentary Committee. There was a time when he had more faith ill Parlia- mentary Committees than he had to day. He I should like to see this matter settled at home. (Applause.) Why not? They were the people interested. They who were there that night, and the thousands of others who were struggling ill the neighbourhood, knew best what was wanted, so why bad they to go to a lot of gentlemen in London to ask for it? It appeared to him that if the Rhondda people-whe were as much interested as Swansea people the colliery proprietors, the traders and ratepayers of Swansea, and all the public governing bedies-if all these felt that the Bill ought to be sanctioned, and was important to their future welfare and prosperity, was it right. was it reasonable, that a few men in London should tell them they wanted nothing of the sort ? (Shouts of "No.") Whilst they were fighting for the Rhondda Bill last year, he was waiting to give evidence in its favour, when one of the members of the commitleeaslted whether the Great Western Railway Company worked the T-ff line, and whether Swansea was on the Taff (Laughter.) Why, it teok the whole day to educate these committee gentlemen up to the nearest elementary points as to the places affected. (Applause;) Let the men who understood the thing, the men who bad to bear the consequences, decide what was wanted. The localities mostly interested should give the verdict, and not those who knew nothing about the places. He could only wish In this case that Swansea could give the verdict (Applause.) However, the directors of the Rhondda and Swansea Bay Railway Company were deserving of the deepest gratitude for the spirit and energy they had shown in fighting this question. They did not often see such pluck. They too often saw the smaller companies grovelling to the larger ones. Here the Rhondda Company had thrown down the gauntlet to the Great Western Railway, and the very courage of that action would, he thought, secure the sympathy of the committee. He had much pleasure in moving the following resolution, "That this meeting of the inhabitants of Swansea hereby agrees to forward to Mr. Dillwyn, M.P., a petition to the House of Commons in favour of the Bill, earnestly hoping that the honourable member will give it his valuable personal support, and this meeting further asks the Welsh members of Parliament to individually support the prayer of the petition." He (Mr. Burnie) knew that Mr. Dillwyn was heartily with them in this matter, and the hon. member was at a loss to know why the rumour had got abroad that he was opposed to it. He had seen Mr. Dillwyn, from whom he had received a letter, in which he said, I am not opposed to the Rhondda Railway scheme, and have, as President of the Chamber of Commerce, signed a petition in its favour. When I saw you lass week, I thought I had been one of the two members to introduce it to the House of Commons but in this I was mistaken. I should have been' however, perfectly willing to have been one of iU: introducers if required. I am oertainly not antagonistic to the Rhondda and Swansea Bay Railway, and such supposition is contrary to the fact." (Applause.) Mr. Burnie said even his political opponents would agree with him in this —that Mr. Dillwyn was not a man who would sacrifice his convictions. Mr. Dillwyn always stuck to his convictions, rightly or wrongly. He was quite certain Mr. D. Randell, M.P., would do everything in his power to support the Bill—in fact all the members would. There was practically, an undivided front shown, and if' with such force and power, they could only get the committee to see as thpy did, he was sure the Bill would not be refused. If it was thrown out then the members of the committee would be false to their convictions, false to their country and false to Swansea and the Rhondda. (Loud applause.) Alderman Monger seconded. He said he hoped •ne great result of that meeting would be that all present would leave with every responsibility attaching to them, and with the determination to do all that lay in their puwer to assist in securing the Rhondda Bill. In holding that feeling of respect for Mr. Dillwyn, so well expressed by Mr. Burnie he claimed to be second to none. But it seemed to him to be decidly wanting of explanation with reference to Mr. Dillwyn's attitude to this question. That explanation, he respectfully submitted ought to be given by Mr. Dillwyn. (Applause.) He ought to tell them, more especially if wa3 no(. against them, how it was that his name was on the back of the Gieat Western Railway Bill. (Loud applause.) If Mr. Dillwyn could give a satisfactory explanation of the perplexity of circumstances, no one would be more glad than himself (Mr. Monger). Now was the time for them to speak out-on the eve of the entry to Parliament of the Bill-and impress upon the hon. member that he was not in Pailiament to place his constituents as second or subservient to his own private interests. (Loud applause and a voice Good Boy.") There was not much for him (Alderman Monger) to say. There was no one in the vast assembly who needed con- version. What they must now do was to show a bold and fearless front. They had determination and capability, and if let alone they would soon see the revelation of the accomplishment they were seeking. (Applause.) » j Alderman Thoma, Freeman, who was the re- cipient of loud applause, said he did not think it required anv more arguments to persuade that gfreat meeting of the necessity of passing the resolution. A great deal hal been said in the eloquent speeches they had listened to, and one might have thought it was necessary to con- vince the people of Swansea that they required a new railway into the town. He took it they were quite conversant with that necessity, and had been for some time past. (Applause.) He was there to see whether that opinion was general, and he was glad to see it was. They already had the opinion of the Council, the Board of Guardians, the Harbour Trustees, the tradesmen of the whole town a very enthusiastic and representative meeting was held at the Guildhall on the previous week, and again they had that huge assembly—all strongly in favour of the Bill. As one who had heen appointed to give evidence on behalf of the Corporation before the Parliamentary Committee, he would take care to convey to the committee the great voice of the inhabitants of the town and district. That would be more effective than if they listened for a week to speeches on the subject. With reference to Alderman Monger's remarks anentMr. Dillwyn,M.P.—(A voice: "Ha! ba and laughter)-he was sure the hon. member would carry out the instructions in the resolution to the very letter. (Loud applause.) Mr. Dillwyn stated in the letter read by Alderman Monger, that he was ready to do all he could to forward the move- ment. (Cries of "No, no" and" Yes, yes.") What more did they want? Was it necessary for the hon. member to resign his seat on the board of the Great Western Railway Company ? Not at all. He would support the Rhondda Bill. That was his intention. (A voice: "He can't de it.") But more than that. They were not going to sit and leave any member oppose them on this occasion. (Applause.) They were not going to leave even the Great Western Railway Company, with all their influence, to thwart the objects of the peeple of Swansea. (Loud applause.) If they could not get a bridge over the Neath River, tbey would get it under. (Applause.) If they could not get it in the same place as the Great Western Railway Company, they weuld get it some other way. The shareholders and directors were determined to bring this matter forward and carry it through, and the people were determined te support them. He did not believe ia the prophecy of Mr. Livingston about Swansea being destroyed if this Bill was not destoyed. lMr. Livingston: If.) Mr. Liviogsten now qualified himself with an if." What he (Ald. Freeman) believed would eonae true, was that the following would be written in large letters on the Mumbles rocks—" The Model Port of Swansea." (Loud ap- plause.) Mr. David Jones supported, and was warmly reoeived. He said, as working men of Swansea, tbey were doubly interested in the question. He assured those gentlemen on the platform that had the working men their own way, they would have very little difficulty in getting the railway to Swansea. (Applause.) Unfortunately, as a rule, when tho working men were tryiug to make head- way on each a great question as the present, the capitalist and the great employers of labour imputed other motives which he claimed were not true. He did not believe in coercion, but he did believe in boycotting a Company which did not study the interests of a large community. (Loud applause.) There was one complaint he would make, though lie meant it in the form of a suggestion to the directors of the Rhondda and Swansea Bay Railway Company. He had watebed that railway question for a long time, and it was his candid opinion that they had played too Ions into the hands of the Great Western Company. (Hear, hear.) But there was hope left, aad he appealed to all present, as working meu of Swan- sea, to do their utmost to support the Bill now in Parliament. (Applause.) He was proud of the position of being President of the Trades Council—(loud applause)—and as such he made an earnest appeal for the support of the Bill, as it was by means of that J railway that the livelihood of the working men would be gained. He would say this, that if they appealed to the colliers, railway servants, and to the coal trimmers of South Wales, it would be a very easy matter to avoid the opposition of the Great Western Railway Company. That company had the money it was true, but it was the working men who made that money. (Loud applanse.) He was sorry that Mr. Dillwyn was not on the platform. He (Mr. Jones) did not wish to mention anything about that honourable gentleman, but he would say that it was Mr. Dillwyn's duty to be there. (Loud applause.) Had he been present, he (Mr. Jones) certainly thought it would have removed a very strong feeling, especially politically, that was now pefvading or existing in the minds of the voters of this great borough. (Applause.) In con- clusion, he again appealed to them, 803 a working- man to working men, to put their names to the petition, because the passing of the Bill depended to a great extent upon the number of names re- corded. (Applause.) Mr. David Harris, also a member of the Trades Council, supported, and said he was sorry that Swansea was becoming a by-word, in consequence of being half-asleep. He was glad that they were now beginning to wake up out of the lethargy which they had been in during the past. Swansea was a sleepy hollow that was not known in the oity of London, where they were obliged to turn over a map in order to find out where it was situated. (Laughter.) It was about time they roused themselves, and obtained that which they needed in order to place the port in the foremost place it should have occupied years and years ago (Applause. How was it to be accomplished ? There were petitions circulated throughout the town, and the peoftte of Swansea demanded that Parliament should pass the Bill to grant Swansea what she claimed. They wanted no monopoly in Swansea. (Applause.) They wanted no such great monopolists as the Great Western Railway Co., who told them to do that and the other thing. They wanted to have fair an-i reasonable competi- tion, which would give to evpry man a fair share of what was right and due to him. (Applause.) He again appealed to those present, to support the Bill, and added that when that was passed they would want more facilities at the docks from the Harbour Trust. (Applause.) The resolution was then put and carried nnani- mously. On the motion of Alderman J. Lewis, seconded by Mr. W. Davies, a hearty vote of thanks to the Chairman, for his able address and for what be had doue in the past for the benetit of the town, was passed. The meeting then terminated.

FIRE IN SWANSEA. A PROVISION MERCHANT'S PREMISES GUTTED. GALLANT CONDUCT OF A CONSTABLE. At 4.5 a.m. on Sunday morning last, the authorities at the Police Station were informed by a night porter of the Royal Hotel, High-street, that a fire had broken out on the promises occupied by Mr. Jabez Davies, provision merchant, near the Arcade. The brigade, at first under the superintendence of Inspector Eynon and Supt. Jones, but shortly afterwards in charge of Capt. Colquhoun, (the Captain of the Brigade), was speedily got together, and with the necessary appliances at once proceeded to the burning promises in High-street. In the meantime P.C. Morgans (32), who was on duty in the vicinity of the fire, hearing the shouts of Fire at once rushed to the spot, where he found the assistants, who slept on the premises, fleeing for their lives. Upon enquiry the officer ascertained that the housekeeper, named Ann Davies, was the only person who was still in the burning building. Without hesitation P.C. Morgans entered, and, after battling with the suffocating smoke for some j minutes, succeeded in reaching the stairs-landing ( leading to the housekeeper's room where he found ¡ the woman in her night dress. She was then in a semi-dazed coudition. With much difficulty the officer conveyed her down the stairs and out of the burning building, and then promptly and heroically, inasmuch as the effort was attended with no small amount of peril, aifsin entered the premises, and searched the various bedroooms to see if anybody was left behind. Fortunately there was not. By this time the occupants of Mr. Meylor's draper shop adjoining—about 16 in number—had hastily donned their wearing, apparel and cleared out. The Brigade on arrival directed their utmost efforts to prevent the spread of the fire, which by this time had got a complete hold of the back portion of the premises having originated, it is surmised, in a store-room at this part of the building. Several hose were set to work, and owing to the good judgment exercised in directing the powerful jets of water, the efforts of Captain Colquhoun were crowned with success in less than an hour and a half after hearing of the outbreak, and the fire was got comparatively under control. Though Mr. Davies' shop was completely gutted, the back portion of the premises being one ma.ss of debris, while the contents of the shop itself were charred heaps, intact in their respective pigeon-holes, yet the adjoining premises were completely saved. The ruins continued smouldering throughout the Sunday and Monday mornings, but the police were told off to watch any further outbreak which fortunately did not occur. The exact origin of the outbreak is as yet unknown, but fortunately the property is covered by insurance. For the prompt assistance and turn-out, much credit is due to Captain Colquhonn and the other members of our local fire brigade, while P.C Morgans for his plucky rescue, one cannot speak too highly. We congratulate him for his gallant conduct, and also the Police Force generally, for possessing such worthy men as this is not the first time that a local constable has distinguished himself in this respect.

There is nothing like a good shorthand reporter to take a man down." WEBBER AND SON FOB JEWELLERY, 4c. [455

Our columns are open to the inttUiyent discussion or all qiiestwnt of an important public nature; but, o C9lase, it is understood 'Juit tee do not necessarily endorse the views of our Correspondents. AJ.L letters to the ICditor must be authenticated with the name and address of the writer, not necessarily for publica ttOn, but as a guarantee of good laith. h' cannot Insert letters which tuive appeared elsewhere nor do we undertake to return rejected manuscripts.

THE AGRICULTURAL SMALL HOLDINGS ACT, 1892. TO THE EDITOR OF "THE CAMBRIAN." SIR,Now tbat our Conservative GJYernment has placed immediate legislation for th.s aession, by which the Treasury will have power tj advance to County Councils an amount not exceeding one penny in the pound on the county iate for interest, which will produce no less a sum than ten willionli sterling, in order that the labourer and small farmer may become within a few years practically yeomen landholders in the country. it ought to be kept clearly before the "labuunug classes" that such legislation ia infinitely better than rousing national raca and religious hatreds between the Protestant Episcopal and non- Episcopal North of Ireland and the Roman Catholic priestly South an 1 West of Ireland, which "Home Rule for Ireland" is as certain to result in as any political question can do. I have always maintained that the English Land System, based upon the family settlement of large estates, has been in the past practically, if not logically, the most perlect in the world that it has accumulated upon the land the saviugs of genera- tions, and such wealth far exceeded, upon a well- ordered estate, the simple value of the land (to use a well-known phrase, the prairie value) twice and three times over, and has given te the productive results of the land au excess equally above all other countries. Witness that England's average per acre of wheat is 35 bushels, whilst that of France seldom exceeds 15 bushels, and of the United States 12 bushels per acre. But no doubt, over vast districts of our agricul- tural land, the detestable "Benthamite Liberal economy," that was inaugurated wuh the tree trade policy of the landowner taking c"re of himself, leaving all other classes, farmer and labourer, village artisan and trader, to look after their own interests if they were able to do so, that the sole gospel and law of political economy, to buy in the cheapest and sell in the dearest market," has had far more blameful interest than is ac all realised by those who have controlled the legislation of the past. "Small farms" have far too often, in the past 50 years and at the present time, been looked I on by wealthy landowners as entailing useless expense in homestead buildings and laoourers' cottages, which the relative low price of corn and higher price of pasture products have often bt;en sacrificed and absorbed into larger holdings, without even a consideration that by destroying the small farms the thrifty labourer, olesssd with health for himself and family, were tnus hopelessly deprived of their honest ambition to occupy Und for themselves, net only the labourer was sacrificed, but no thought was given to the rural mechanic. Carts, wagons, the simplest agricultural tool, all were bought in the town nay, even in this district you cannot obtain a load of lime or timber to build a piggery without sending for it miles out of the district. The great estates, instead cf keeping, have destroyed the limekilns, the sawmills, and even the village forge. Splendid woods, tilled with magnificent timber, larch, ash, and oak, instead of light rails being laid to carry them to a Iteam or water sawmills;for the use of the tenants, are left to perish for the want of common ventilation of roadways through tbem. The tenants might repair themselves, or leave their buildings to dtcuy, and the timber must be brought from the woods 01 America, thousands of miles, and all the money and labour go out of the country. Labourers' coitages wÜh weli-kept walls and roofs aud gardens nave almost ceased uut of the land, and politicians of plundering proclivities are left to work their evil iuduence tue/eou. This I would repeat is not the work of old Tory landlords, but of the modern Liberal Benthamite statesmen and landowners. By man's work and material in the chvapest, sell all yuu have in the dearest market," but unless we would have the grandest empire, the highest and stateliest social system the world has ever seen put in peril, we I mast go back, and we have in the Laud, Conveyancing (Ireland) Act" of last year, the first great step in recovery. The Settled Estates Act, 1832" was to help landowners who could not do justice to themselves or their estates, an account of the charges aud liabilities on their land, and one of our Conservative leadeB raised 1adical wrath by iii pro- posal to lend such owners money to build labourers' cottages, at a low treasury ra¡e, for once I think the Radicai right, b,¡t uot for I eit60011 he would give, but for totally opposite reasons. Landed estates requiring further advances of money upon them to build labourers' cottages, c.innot be sold for their real value because tney cannot be divided on account of the liabilities aud securities upon them and as stated by a correspondent of the Morninq Post, the purchasers of large landed estates are neither numerous nor rich at the present time but with an English L-tud Court as in Ireland, the market fur agricultuial land would be re-opened, and ostates would ;>e;a)n bring their real value, and I reped that iu aU mining, wannfacturlDg and sêa board dllltncts vallt sums would be found wherd estates could be easily divided. Why should not the Treasury as iu Ireland be tho medium, the security would be absolutely safe^in England, a far larger margin might be left for the purchaser (with preferential occupying rights) to provide, and fur anI fiuanoial national embarrassment on account of magnitude. Surdy with a London banking clearance weekly of over 100 millions sterling, the whole agricultural value fails far short in amouut. The National Debt Conversion Act of Mr. Goschen, however beneficial to our future national income has caused far greater financial disturbance than any Treasury advances fur British land purchase could possibly do. Small landowners, the Yeomen of the country, have passed away in many districts because they could make far better use of their capital, and the fierce competition of free trade imports has been against small farming, but already the tide seems turning. Vacant furm;, even in the heavy lands of the eastern counties like Essex, are oeing taken up, and if by some means large farms could be divided, small farmers would flourish. True, they must work hard and live very closely, aud I have often heardat market dinners, "the labourer must have the meat picked out of the farmer's dish." So be it, and tne labourer must be turned into the farmer, for large and small farms cannot pay labourers wages, and the laudowiiers must divide their farms. Buildings and cottages muat be provided for wherever, as in Cheshire, small dairy farms exist, and in Wales agriculture is fairly prosperous. We have in .his district a home farm of about a thousand acres, miserably, wretchedly cultivated, about ten labourers all told, including i boys, and there are several large furms in an equally miserable state. No farm buddings fit to house the cattle, no labourers cottages fit for human beings, and side by side, small farms of 25 to 50 acres, where fine families have besn reared, and the farmer comfortably well off. True, they work as hard, and live infinitely closer and more provident lives than any town labourer, but they are at the same time infinitely moro happy and contented, more honest, God fearing loyal Britishers. The economical revolution is upon us, and Government must assist in order to avert the social and National revolution, as in Ireland, which would long since have ended by fearful anarchy in that country but for the overpowering might of England's law aDd order, and it is exactly on lines of "Ireland's Land Act, 1891," that England's agricultural salvation must be sought, coupled with the "Labourers Acts, Ireland, 1882, 1883," and we have in the genius or the Right Hon. A. J. Balfour, that solved the Irish question, a Tory statesman equal to the task if heaven giants him life and health. True, there are subsidiary and collateral economic questions affecting land cultivation thnt will tax the ablest and clearest intellects of our statesmen in their settlement-to mention them even is to start a claim for columns of discussion. Why should not foreign imports, food as well as manufacture?^ pay their fair proportion of the "poor relief," which tu us in this country is a neoessity of Christianity, and education rates a necessity of civilization, and why also not pay their share for the maritime War Reserve of British commerce? Is not the Royal Navy of England the insurance, the police of the ocean?. Why should British produce bear the burden solely for its foreign competitor ? Why, also, should there not be for the British Empire an "Imperial Bi-Metallic Currency," the half-dollar for British America, the rupee for India, the florin for England—one equal Imperial coift tor the British race under every clime. Let us have five and ten pound silver notes. What a blessing would such a earrency be to the British sailor, engineer, soldier and official of every rank and order under the British flag, as well as to the British farmer and the Lancashire cotton mana- facturer.—Yours, ke., JOHN HOPKINS. Nicholaston House, Cefn Bryn, Swansea, March 14, 1892. =======

WBBBER AlfD SOIf Felt OPTICS. [455 From a Parliamentary return relating to income tax and inhabited house duty just Issued it appears that tbe total cbarged for income tax for the year 1889-90 in England was £10,200,340, and for in. habited bouse duty £1,978,108., Of this amount Warwickshire contributed JE:226,752 and £ 39,(09 respectively Staffordshire, £ 218,728 and £ 28,201 j Worcestershire, d683,923 and £ 17,938. Middlesex is of course the highest of the English countie", the amounts being £3,897,730 for income tax, and £724485 for inhabited house duty. For Wales the totals are £303,071 and £43.690: for Scotlaud, £1,149,701 and £131,510; and for Ireland, the income tax charged only is returned at £518,9<)2. Teacher—"Parse 'court. Pupil-" Oonrt, a verb, octive, indicative mood, present tense, agrees with all the girls in the neighbourhood."

I THE SWANSEA WOMEN'S LIBERAL ASSOCIATION. TO THE EDITOR OF ,¡ THE CAMBRIAN." Slii.—"A voufu'i evidence, no un.ttu- how sincere, when unconfirmed, must always be leceived with caution, for å woman's nánd naturally confuses what she wishes to bdieve t00k pl*ce, witb "ilat she knows as actual fact," was the remark of a learnedf judge upon the evidence of a lady, the principal witness before the court. F"r be it from me to fully endorse so ungallant a judgment, but upon, what other principle can I receive the statements of Mrs. :.L,s>, tne Irish lady who spoke at the above meeting, ior upon letVrnng to official statistics as to the disposal of tiie surplus funds belonging to the Dieestabl.sh'?d Protestant Church of Ireland, I tiud the statrinents of that Irish lady very far indeed from being statements of truth. Mrs. Moss is reported to have said that Ireland had veiy mush benefitted by the disestablish ment and dis-endowment of the Piotestaut Church and I. the money thereby libprated' was applied to educational purposes.' Let us examine The amount taken from the Irish Cnurch was £ 6,500,000,—six and a half millions—of that ani 'Unt close upon £ 1,300,000 was taken for Relief Works, 1882, which we have now evidence admitted by the Gl^dstonians themselves, to have feeen shamefully wasted. We have £750.000 io help the Gladstone Arrears 1882 Act" triat is to pay rent that ought or could not be paid. W« have £ 600,000 paid to the Royal Universities, and £ 250,000 to Sea Fisheries. £373.331 paid to the Roman Catholic College of Maynooth, ""nù £750,0,¡() paid to the I Presbyterians, although I have always been an ardent advocate ot the concurrent endowment of both Roman Catholics and Presby terians, it seems rather queer ethics to t.ike religious property from one body of religionists under S:at.. coutrol and give the property to other religious bodies fiee from any control whatever, and we come at last to £1,000,000 takeu foi Intermediate Education, and £1,300,000 to establish a pension fund for National School Teachers. We have thus very little over one-third of the plunder of the Irish Protestant Church taken for purposes of Irish Middle Class Education, but strictly exact not one-sixth, and if we regard the: poor labouters aud small fanners of Ii eland, it wouid be the clear national fact that 110t one shilling was taken for their education. So much for the Irish lady's statements. I see it is also reported that at the same time the Rev. W. Et Clarke proposed a resolution for the dis-establishment of the Welsh Church. I assume including the disendowment also of the Church; and of course the Rev. gentleman will support the disendowment of the Unitarian Chapel, High-street, Swr.Dsea. It ha3 always been to IllY mind a wonder how any Unitarian connected with that chapel, who goes in for despoiling the Established Church of its own property, cun for a moment sanction the enjoyment of the endowments attached to that ch^pe!, when the property clearly belongs to the Castle-street Chapel, and had if it hau not been for the Special Religious Buildings Act for the Dissenters, commonly known as the "Lady Hewley's Charity Act," the whole of the property would long since have been legally taken from the Unitarians. I have in my wife's possession letters from a member of the Old Congregation (it the time possession was obtained by the Unitarians), written to her brother, one of the trustees of the chapel, but then a Prisoner of War in Fiance, reporting the proceedings by which the members who subse- quently formed the Castle-street Chapel Congrega- tion, ware ejected, and it appears very cloudy religioulI morality indeed on the part of those wbo retained the property, aud whose successors now simply hold possesion by right of an Aet of Parlia- ment some fifty years old. Although an Unitarian myself, 80 far as doctrinal faith is concerned, it is most grievous to me that professed religious tescbera of my old denomination should join in politic .A action for the destruction of the hst8.bhshed Ctiurch, which is infinitely more charitable, more iiben-d, more worthy to be the Christi1\u Replesentdtlve of our great A::J¡,!I0-)û.xon Race than all or aRY of the Puritan Noncontoinnst Sects with whom political preacheis ally themselves; and one thiLg is at least very clear, that the Church will not long be the only victim of the Secularist Spoilei — when she is pluuderód.- Y uurs, Jfcc., JOHN HOPKINS. Nicholaston House, Cefn Bryn, Maich 20oh, 1892.

ELECTION OF OVERSEERS FOR THE HAMLET OF CLASE. TO THE EDITOR OF "THE CAMBRIAN. SI:R.-Iu couioruiiiy wIth tUe enclosed notice, a Vestry meeting was held last Tnursday evening, and, in common with many othef, I attended it. A!4 toe chief pllrtottlle laikmg was in the Welsh language, possibly some thmgsm^y have escaped me, but enough was understood to allow or cn.use tho opinion to be formed that -t was certainly unique. Iu the first place, it was held in the schoolroom ot a Chapel. Why this fh >uld be when there is a Pansh Hall not one hundred yaras diötant theretrom, WdS aud. is unknown, but toil the Vestry GJeètmg was for Municipal, aud uot Parish busine<!5, perhaps the conveners preferred N OL.C,m- formity to the old, old orcnodox way. Beiug for Municipal purpose, a Guardian was voted to tae Chair, and to my mwd be was grossly insulted by one ot the persons nominated for the Overseership, inasmuch a. more thau once threats and highly improper iauguuge was used to the Chair. It is reailf strange that persons seem to mic- apprehend tl1eir powt!c-there neejaed an iICpre88ioD that the meeting Was tur the appointing of the Overseer, aittioush tbe notice cleady sets out tbaa the meeting is ior nominating. Tcere was much discursive matter introduced, and would you believe it, Mr. Editor, after the buainetx (the only business specified on the bill) had been disposed ot, bud although the meetiug had had opportunity ot numinatillg competent, SUb. stautial householders, not satisfied with having oo done, but there was a kind of private detective agency by way of Committee elected to look after tLe Overseers lest they should not do tLeir duty. In my way of thinking tnis is no other than a gratuitous insult to them, and mu,t other place the Overseers or the members of the so-called Committee in an unpleasant position. I take it, Sir, that this Committee is a kiud 01 Vigilance one, and usurps the function (it it do s auything) ot wha- should be doue by a ratepayers' association. Reflecting over what occurred at the meeting, it is really enough to prevent auy respectabie aud independent, as well as fairly intelligent householder, from accepting such a position as that of Overseer, at least, for the Hamlet of Clase.— Yours truly, T. CRISWICK. Morriston, 21st March, 1892.

THE DANGER OF PROTESTANT COMMUNION. TO THE KDITOR OF TBE "CAXBRIAN." SlB,—In a comparatively recent number of The Catholic Times and Catholic Opinion, which accidentally came into my hands a few days ago, the following paragraph appears under the heading "The Danger of Protestant Communion":—"An Anglican writes to us: A highly respectable nurse, from one of our largest hospitals, informs me that a lady, well known to her, has contracted cane r through receiving the sacramental wine from a chalice of which a person suffering from that terrible malidy (in the mouth) had previously partaken. The facility for spreading various con- tagious and horrible disorder in this manner is obviously great, and should 8uffioe to cODvince everyone of the excellence of the Catholic custom of communicating the laity under one kind only." What shall we have next, Mr. Editor?—Yours truly, Go WEE.

SHALL GATE-MONEY AT SPORTS BE TAXED TO THB EDITOR Of THE CAMBRIAN." SIR,—Mr. H. C, Richards who, some years ago, delivered an interesting address at Swansea on Free and Fair Trade," and, who until recently, was the Conservative candidate for the city of Coventry, is said to be staying at St. Leonards's far from well, or even convalescent. Mr. Richards unsuccessfully opposed the late Mr. C. Bradlaugh, at Northampton. Mr. H. C. Richards is a stannoh defender of the Established Church. He sent a paper on "Betting and gambling" to the recent Anglican Conference a.t Pau, in which he said while people denoanced betting and gambling, they must not forget "time bargains" in stocks and shares were of the same order, and mentioned a proposition to tax betting and gate-money a.t sporting meetings of all sorts. Mr. Richards should have included football matches in his proposition.—Yours, &c., CONSISTENCY.

"WELSH WATER FOR THE WELSH." This is what Land and Water has to say upon the Birmingham Water Bill: The public health of Birmingham and Cardiff may be important, but so is the health of the people on the Wye and Usk watersheds. Why are the people to whom the water belongs to have it taken away, and the river j rendered a nuisance and their homes unhealthy because Birmingham and Cardiff desire to acquire valuable properties ? At best it is settling off the health of the one against the other, and we fail to see why the people of Birmingham should be allowed to promote their welfare at the cost of the inhabitants of the Wye watershed. It can only be because they are stronger and richer, but neither strength nor riches should be a reason for robbing the weak of their birthright, and enable the stronger to aquire a splendid property. 'I. f. -.).1.

AX UNPUBLISHED POiiM BY "ANN OF .SWANSEA." At the weekly lecture on Mondav week, in the theatre of the Royal Institution of South Wales, Mr. Philip Rogers, our veteran townsman, ha.nded a manuscript copy of tiie following lines to the lecturer to be read. THeywerecomposadby Ann of Swansea," to be put m a younc girt s sampler, in the year 1824. She lived at that lime in Orchard-street, Swauaea. The flow ry wreath that summer 'twines Of varied tint and shade, At mornin2"s hour all lovely shine*. But evening sees it fade. Do thou, fair maid, a lesson take From tiiese frail fljwers grow wise, Ere youth and bloom thy cheek forsake And youth's bright season fliea. For time creeps on, and will efface Gay beauties' richest bloom And every charm, and every grace Must wither in the tomb. But if fair virtue to thy heart, Its light divine has given, Thoumay'st in joyful hope depart, To bloom more bright in Heaven. ANN OF SWANSEA.

SWANSEA AMUiSEilKNTS. THE NEW THEATRE, WIITD-STREET. "The Village Forge, a ctiiring Grain* admirably written, is being performed at the above popular amusement resort thi- week, and it has attracted large and enthusiastic houses. The Company is a powerful one, moulding several very capable actors and actresses, who sustain Utir parts » eli trom the start to tne finisa. The plot is ingenious and interesting, and sustains the deep imprest won at the commencement to the very end. The situations are exciting, and the acting all round is decidedly good The scenery is pretty and elaborate, and ?P £ TuJ %kanc™ th,e success of the play The Tillage Forge will be staged this (Friday) a to-morrow (Saturday) evenine, when we feel snre there will be large houaaa—A rare treat is ia store for Swansea theatregoers next week-one which they should not miss on any account The enterprising lessee of the Wind-street fheatr« (Mr. A. Melville), has made arrangements with Mr. D'Oy Jy Carte for a special visit with the new and popular opera" The Nautch Girl" on Mondav Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, and The Yeoman of the Guard on Fnd 4y and Saturday This is an expensive aud important engagement upon which Mr. Melville is to be congratulated' In praise of the merits of "The Yeomen of the Guara we need not speak. The Nautch Girl" his scored a phenomenal .<ucce;s in London, while in the Provinces it has been received with much enthusiasm. The D'Oyly Car e Oflera Company is well-Known to Swanseaites, and that it wi'1 be accorded a right hearty welcome we ha.ve Dot the slightest doubt. THEATRE ROYAL, TEMPLE-STEEBT.—The boards of this popular theatre are now occupied by aa exceeoiugly effective Irish comedy-drama entitled The Leaves of Shamrock," by Mr. J. P. Sullivan whose company is also staging it. From the reception accorded the performance on Monday evening one must infer that our Hibernian neighbours are held more in admiration by Taffy than otherwise, though consideiing the unflagging nature of the piece, together with the talented company performing it, it is not a matter for surprise that" The Loaves of Stiamrock should have found favour amnng a Welsh audience. The author, Mr. J. P. Sullivan, is the lif.. of the piece being full of genuine mirth. Moreover, he possesses a fine musical voice, and in his "Ma°sri« Murphy-a Home" (Originally suug bv him) he tairly brought down tne hoase, the auditorium t .kiug up the strain. A-* C .rrol Daly" he personated the Pat to :he letter, and was repeat.lly applauded by the nutitoo, while "Norah DnscoL (Miss Ai ia W-i.-ht) oacie an excellent sweetheart, enacting the uart of a d!(irymaid very natural. The i61« of Mavna O'Connor" Was taken with much feeling by Miss Mmie Auckland who displayed considerable histrionic ability. Tne Art Kavann .gh a scheming villain, and the Red Ri ody nis henchman and tool, were most effectively taken ) y Mr. C. B. Vuuir.W and Mr. Sam Roberts re?pe..tivelv, while Mr. W. Curtis as Phadraig Rooney an old tisherm in, was im- personated with much spir:t, his step-dancing being greeted lIIoith loud applause. Mr. F. Carlyon as Redmond O'Neil," Mr. A. M..ad as "Sheriff Martin, Mr. E. Grant as Ned Mullins," and Mr W "Feeney Johnstone," two policemen aud Mr. Elwsrd Juyce us Darny D..ie were also well tahen. was a decide Ids:' brogue pervading ti e whole piece, "CirrolD.lv N0?ah DriscoU, and » Bed R..ody » b- ing e^pt.t.n.lly well taken m this result. The Le *;f Sham- rock deserves the hearty support oi a.I S*-a-s»a theitre-goers, H., though it is a drama, the humorous by.-plaj mak« the piece extremtly light while even the most dramatic portions p .rt.ke by noi means of absurd and blood-curdling sensatione. Leaves oi Siararock" will b" performed this (Friday) aud to-morrow (Saturday) evenings when we venture to predict full houses.

LONDON MISSIONARY SOCIETY. SWANSEA AUXILIARY. ANNUAL MEETING. On WednesdRy evening, the annual meeting of the Swansea auxiliary of the London Missionary Suciety was held at the Castle-street Chapel. Mr R^vl T%° PveSlde!'v.a"d Was »"PP<>rted by the Revs. T. S. Evaus (P.stor of the Church) E Jenkins (W alter-road Congregational Church)' R* C. Harris and Mr. W._Meyler. There was a fair attendance. The evening was principally devoted to the reading of papers appertaining to the work of the mission, Hymn and piiiyer opened the proceedings, after wbich the chairman male a few brief remarks, appealing to all present to aid in the good work that the London Missionary Society was doing. Rev. E. Jenkins, in the absence of Mr. Thomas, the secretaiy, who was un.ble to be present, read the annual report and balance .beet, which showed receipts amounting only to £93 15s. The rev. geutleman said he tr.ought the sm-tllness of that sum ocgbt to constraiu everyone to search their own hearts and consider whether or not tbey were, as Cnnrches, doillg what was necessary towards the evaugeliNation of the world. Mr. Williams (Landore) moved the adoption of the report, and expressed his Morrow that tbe leceipts were not so gratifying &8 ùe Rhould have liked, though he thought the year 1892 would obtain better rt'sl11ts. Mr. Bowen (Fabian's Bay) seconded, and the report was adopted. The Rev. T. S Evans then read an excellent paper on "Christianity in Missionary Religion. At the outset he said that Christianity was pre- eminently and essentially an aggressive missionary religious question. Though not the only aggressive religion Chrir-tianity claimed its right to make inroads upon the kingdom of darkness and evil. Buddahism and Mahommedanism were also aggressive and missionary, but only so as to lower instead of higher civilization. In going back to the founder of Christianity they found that it was intended to be aggressive in spirit and character. They were told that Christ came "to seek and to save that which was lost. He was not so sure that the modern missionary bore a greater and more striking resemblance to the founder of Christianity than the modern public minister, with his large church, his cushioned seats, his trained choir and whesc congregation idolised him and would not let him prrach to any other people than his own—dear ma.n that he was. -(Laughter.) The rev. gentleman then went on to say that it was their duty to proclaim the truths of God to the whole world and showed that considering the underlying truths and doctrines they could arrive at no other con- clusion than that Christianity was truly and irresistibly aggressive, concluding bv stating that the present condition of the world demanded that our religion should be aggressive and missionary w order to restore purity and virtue. The Revs. W. J. Nicholson and J. Phillips were announced to read papers but they were unavoidably absent, the latter in consequence of the death of a relative. The Rev. C. Harris next read a paper entitled, The Missionary Prayer Meeting." He thought in all other respects the work of a missionary was human, but his paper dealt with the divine side of the subject, as God was the ohiet agent of missionery success, while the missionary prayer meeting ought to be the chief part of mission work. It was because too much importance was paid to those other agents that the Church was practically inactive in saving souls. He advocated general mission prayer meetings because the present method of conducting those meetings were indefinite and pointless. Prayer* were made giants in body and dwarfs in spirit if he miglit be allowed to use the expression Rev. E. Jenkins, in calling upon Mr. Lloyd to move a vote of thanks to the Chairman, said ha was not fully satisfied with the meeting. He oould not understand why all the Churches, on an -G !p,r?sent= n°t come together, ,o that they might have a large and influential meeting in support of the missionary work. However, he hoped they would all go from the meeting determined, inwardly, that they would Lr, v t a la.rger Part in the great and glorious work of cultivating the missionary spirit at home ind abroad. On the motion of Mr. Lloyd, seconded by Mr. wnltiths, a vote of thanks was accorded the Chairman and those who had given addresses, and the proceedings closed with prayer.

He stood and looked at the steam roller that was working on the ashphalte. "Great thing, ain't it?" ■aid a bystander. "Great no hing ?' was the reply. "You must be powerful einw in zheae parts. Why, out to Slam Center they'd shoot an engineer that couldn't go no faster'n tb.it."